LAHORE: Lahore Banking Crimes Court on Saturday issued a written order according to which the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) was barred from arresting National Assembly’s opposition leader Shahbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shahbaz in money laundering case till January 21.

The court extended the bail of PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif and Hamza Shahbaz till January 21.

Banking Crimes Court Judge Sardar Tahir Sabir issued a written verdict during the court hearing on Saturday.

The court, in its written order directed Shahbaz Sharif and Hamza Shahbaz to file interim bail plea to the relevant court.

The order further states that court has been given a respite to approach the relevant court at the request of petitioner’s lawyer. The court further stated in its judgment that FIA lawyers had no objection to granting respite for bail application.

FIA had requested to withdraw the challan as it was not within the jurisdiction of this court. On Friday, the court returned the challan filed by FIA on Shahbaz Sharif and Hamza Shahbaz.

The FIA was of the view that the challan of both Shahbaz Sharif and Hamza Shahbaz falls under the jurisdiction of the Special Central Court. According to the law, the Banking Crimes Court cannot hear the case. Before the Banking Crimes Court, Shahbaz Sharif and Hamza had filed a bail application to avoid arrest on summons by the FIA, in which the FIA and others have been made parties.